(Excerpt from Pain, Passion & Purpose )

Becoming reacquainted with our authentic selves is the first step to creating a life that will fulfill us on the deepest levels. It is truly the foundation upon which everything else is built. Here are the five steps to finding firm footing on the right path:

Know who you really are – It’s crucial to know what you believe and where you stand on things. In the years that have passed, your life has given you your own unique areas of strength and compassion. These are the qualities that comprise the real you. At the core of your being what matters to you? Always make decisions from that place of knowledge. Concession is a part of life, yes, but the qualities that represent your true nature should never be compromised. Make a simple list of the qualities you respect most about yourself and then guard them like they’re gold.

Become an observer of your own life – Practice creating mental distance from your emotions and circumstances so that you can get a better perspective of the big picture. When we can learn to remove our biases from the situation, even for a little while, we not only make better decisions, but can usually see how to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

Keep a strong mental picture of yourself as you want to be – Allow the inner knowledge of who you really are to carry you through. If your life hasn’t yet manifested the expression of that, repeatedly focus on your vision of the ideal you in your mind’s eye. When you can stay mindful of that goal, you can carve out the most direct path to your ultimate destination without making unnecessary compromises.

Focus on outward expression – Who you believe yourself to be on the inside is only true if you can put it to work on the outside. Learn to control your thoughts, words, and actions instead of letting them control you. The idea is to be proactive enough to live an empowered life instead of a reactionary one. If you approach life with respect for your most treasured values, your outward circumstances will soon reflect that.

Stand in your integrity – The truth is we never know how many more days we’ll have in this life, so be the person you desire to be now, not later. Dignity and integrity are traits that are sewn into the fiber of your being, but you must choose to own them. There’s a strong satisfaction in knowing that you haven’t betrayed your deepest held allegiances. Being a person of integrity allows you to feel proud of whom you are right now, in this moment, without regard to worldly outcomes. It is a gift we are each generously given by Spirit, if will simply choose to accept it.

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Marci Wise is the author of Pain, Passion & Purpose. Copyright © 2013 marciwise.com. Material is copyrighted but free to repost as long as proper credit is listed, including our website address.